I need a computer geek, which I'm not even close. Compac Presario V6000, Windows XP, has lost the wireless device. It worked fine last night when I shut the computer down. Started it up this evening, wireless never came on, just an orange light indicating wireless not on, light is blue when it's working. Checked the internet connections at control panel, it shows the LAN, but doesn't even show wireless. Opened device manager, shows the NVIDIA network controller, but shows not ethernet device. Back to using a cable for now, which sucks! :Banghead Anybody got a clue what has happened???
Just like most of us technicians are accused of doing I am going to blame it on the operator. It must be operator error or abuse!! lol Are you sure your wireless router is working?
LoL, wouldn't hurt me to admit I did something...if I just knew what. :tong Problem isn't with router, wife is on wireless at present. This computer has an led on the front of it to indicate the status of wireless device. Blue led indicates wireless is operating, orange led indicates it's off. Got orange led.
Does your laptop have a button on it to turn off the wireless internet next to the power button or on the case somewheres? I am not familiar with a compact brand laptop so I have to ask to know what to do next.
On my Gateway, theere is a switch right beside the wireless indicator LED
Yes, it has a sliding switch right next to the LED indicator, switch is in the on position now. Keep in mind, when viewing device manager, it doesn't show wireless device is Off or Disabled...it doesn't show a wireless device (ethernet) at all, there's nothing there.
My HP laptop has a slide switch to turn the wireless on or off. I always seem to move it without knowing.
Mine is like Lee's also. I am kind of at a loss right now seeing I run windows 7 on my laptop. And you don't want to know what I think of it. lol But anyways I think you can go to control panel then network/internet and I think from there you can set up a wireless internet. I may be wrong though seeing I haven't used windows xp in a while.
I called Compac, for you and they said you needed to change your user name back to ATCOEQUIP LOL I had the problem a few months ago and I had hit the switch, I didnt even know I had a switch Sorry I couldnt help, but I just had to say this (about the user name LOL)
LoL, well, name change will remain, much like this dastardly cable will remain for now. :Banghead
The wireless card in a laptop is often in the same compartment as the memory chips or it may also have its own compartment on the bottom of the laptop.If you find it you can remove and reseat it to see if that helps but beyond that it may need to be replaced.It will have two wires going to it,usually a black and a white one. I don't think that it is a network problem because of the orange light so that eliminates any encryption issues etc. Those cards are cheap on ebay.If you have an old PCMCIA wireless card you might use that until you sort it out.Ron G
My HP has a blue light when it is working, if you touch the blue light it shuts it off and turns orange. That is the switch on mine. Every once and a while I have to reboot my antenna, it is plugged into the power strip with the wireless. Much beyond that and I am lost. I bumped my light one time and that was how I found out it was also the switch for wireless. Good luck getting up and and running.
Does the wireless NIC (network interface card) show up in the windows device manager (MyComputer -> Properties -> Hardware -> Device Manager -> Network Adapters) ?? Does it have a yellow question mark? My guess is probably NO question mark since it was working. Here is a link to the mant. manual http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01035886.pdf According to the manual, there should be a blue light if wireless is working.
Thanks for the replies fellas. :notworthy RonG, I'll try removing the wireless card and re-seating it. It's mounted inside a cover on bottom of laptop, not in a card slot, will see it that helps, thanks for the advice. kanewolf, big thanks for the maintenance manual, saved it to my documents. Here's a screenshot of device manager open. it's been some time since I last viewed device manager, can't remember for certain what "was" there, but I do recall some form of eternet used to be listed, just plain gone now.
There should be an ethernet and wireless device listed. Either stuff has gotten dislodged or more likely the motherboard is going bad. Laptop motherboards are not nearly as reliable as they should be.
Yep, you're spot on heavylift, I recall my device manager used to list an ethernet device, don't no more, it's gone, not there
I also notice that there is an option to enable/disable the wireless in the BIOS. Don't know why it would have changed but see Table 2-3 in the above maint. manual. Is wireless enabled in the BIOS? Use the F10 key to enter the BIOS prior to windows loading.
Ok, restarted puter using F10 prompt, entered bios menus. Selected "System Configuration", no wireless device listed there to enable or disable. I was on chatroom last night and it was suggested to update (reload) drivers for wireless device. My question was "how do you update/reload drivers for something that isn't there? Update driver "for what"? Me thinks wireless device has plain old crapped out. Would just like to know how to confirm this before I purchase a new one.
About the easiest and most reliable way would be either replace it with a known good one or install yours in another computer that has been proven to work with a wireless card like yours.Ron G
Sounds Tango-Uniform to me. The cheapest way to be back in business is probably a USB wireless adapter.
Computers stink
Check for a switch on the side of the machine that turns wireless capability on and off. It may have inadvertently gotten switched off.
Yeah, my thoughts as well. I've been reading some posts at HP forum and it seems it may be a possibility that motherboard is at fault. Would a wireless USB adapter pretty much be plug and play?
Since you still are using XP, you would probably have to run the included CD to load the drivers prior to plugging it in. Otherwise, straight forward. Usually, picking the same brand USB adapter as the wireless router, minimizes the hassle factor. Unfortunately, looking at the web, there are no Frys locations near you.... Milton GA would be the closest Frys.
I will send you one for free if you PM your address to me.Ron G
Wow, one can't refuse an offer as generous as that, thank you very much Ron. :notworthy
Maybe loose nut on keyboard , Just a thought!
I got your PM and should get it out today for you.Ron G
LoL, that's common knowledge with me around here.
Couldn't resist , Same with me !! hope you get prob solved.
Atco PM me your phone number, time zone and best time to call you. I'll get it working for you. There may be a DDnB youtube video poking fun of it after...you have been warned...
LMAO! That almost sounds entertaining enough. :lmao
I agree with Hvy 1ton, there should be a wireless device listed, the wireless card is usually under a door on the bottom of the laptop or under the keyboard. it sounds like it needs to be replaced.
Did Vantage get you fixed up?
I would have to say it is your drivers maybe its very comment for a virus to attack drivers and delete them might want to try and run spybot search and destroy, norton, mcafee if something to be sure and reload drivers from the company web page they should have a section for just your computer drivers. If that does not do the trick then you may want to do a restore to a earlier date and if that does not do it then its the card needs to be replaced. Hoping this helps you out a little I have worked in the army as a 25B for many years ran across a lot of reasons why stuff did not work after a reboot.
I realize this is an old thread but wanted to mention to some , that the first thing to do is download avast anti virus free home addition , scan your computer and make sure you didnt catch a virus then if all clear go to your manufactures website and download the driver for your wireless card . And if that fails then check the wireless card itself take it out and re-seat it .